Compartmented valise or traveling bag



1957 c. A. BRESKIN ET AL COMPARTMENTED VALISE OR TRAVELLING BAG Filed Oct. 8, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l 1957 c. A. BRESKIN ET AL 2,804,183

COMPARTMENTED VALISE OR TRAVELING BAG 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 8, 1956 Rf PM m. r v m 5 United States PatentO" COMPARTMENTED VALISE OR TRAVELING BAG Charles A. Breskin, Scarstlale, and Gerald E. Stahl, Rye, N. Y.

Application October 8, 1956, Serial No. 614,709 7 Claims. (Cl. 190-51) This invention relates generally to containers, and has particular reference to traveling bags for personal use.

It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved valise or traveling bag in which the structural parts are so arranged and assembled that articles of clothing and other personal belongings of a traveler can be cfiiciently stored and made readily asscessible when the bag is opened.

A more particular object is to provide a valise or suitcase having compartments and fittings arranged in an unusually efiicient manner to achieve the basic purpose. It is among the characterizing features of the improved construction to provide a cover that is completely separable from the base of the structure, the base and the parts supported on it being so designed that upon removal of the cover they are capable of functioning as a self sufficient structure adapted to serve as the equivalent of a chest of drawers and wardrobe, to accommodate and support garments and other articles in a practical and convenient manner.

In accordance with our invention the base of the bag is substantially rectangular and has upstanding marginal walls at least one of which is of relatively low height. Rising from this base to a height substantially greater than the low wall is an island of rigid character, also substantially rectangular in general contour, and provided with partitions of a special character defining compartments for articles. A flexible sheet of material is carried by this island and is adapted to be thrown to and from a protective position overlying the island and enclosing the compartments. Carried by the upper part of the island is a special hanger assembly adapted to be adjusted from a folded or lowered position adjacent to the island to an extended or elevated position above it. The hanger assembly is adapted to support garments in a practical manner that subjects the garments to a minimum of creasing and compression, and that exposes the garments in properly hung condition when the cover of the valise is removed and the structure is made ready to serve as a wardrobe.

These general objectives and advantages, and such other objects and advantages as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, can be achieved in the manner illustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a perspective view of a valise or traveling bag of the present type, shown in closed condition;

Fig. 2 is an end view, with the base structure and the cover shown in completely separated relationship;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to the lower part of Fig. 2, with the hanger assembly shown in extended condition, and with other parts broken away to reveal structure that would be otherwise hidden;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the elements Fig. 3, as viewed from the right of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view substantially along the line 5--5 of Fig. 1; and

shown in Patented Aug. 27, 1957 ice Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view substantially along the line 66 of Fig. 1.

The bag or valise herein chosen for illustration embodies the invention in a substantially rectangular piece of luggage in which there is a base 10 and a completely removable cover 11. The base has upstanding marginal walls 12, the longer side walls preferably diverging upwardly, as shown. In achieving the objectives of our invention, at least one of these longer side walls is of relatively low height. In the construction illustrated in the drawings all the marginal walls of the base are of the same relatively low height, terminating in an upper relatively rigid rim 13 which lies substantially in a horizontal plane. The cover 11 is of a conforming shape, and has depending marginal walls 14 corresponding to those of the base and adapted to cooperate with the latter. Thus, in the construction illustrated, the lower edge of the walls 14 is constructed to define a relatively rigid rim 15 which fits snugly and firmly against the rim 13 of the base in a cooperating manner that produces a complete closure of the bag.

To secure the cover to the base each of the walls 14 may be provided at its lower margin with one part 16 of a clasp, the corresponding other part 17 being carried by the corresponding wall 12 of the base. These clasps may be of any known design and character, and may if desired be provided with key looks or the like. These clasps, or any equivalent separable fasteners that may be employed, should be of adequate strength, because when the cover is locked to the base it is intended that the valise will be carried about by menas of a handle 18 provided on the top wall 19 of the cover.

While the invention is not limited to bags of any particular size or dimensions, it may be observed that a bag of practical dimensions, satisfactory for service in the manner of conventional luggage, and easily transportable, may have a width at the base of eight or nine inches, a length of about two feet, and a height of about twentyone inches. A valise having these general proportions is shown in the accompanying drawings, and in this construction the upstanding marginal walls of the base are between three and four inches in height.

Rising from the base 10 is a substantially rectangular structure which we have designated as an island, since it is somewhat narrower in width than the base, and also somewhat shorter in length. It is supported on and firmly anchored to the bottom wall 20, and comprises relatively narrow spaced end panels 21, 22, a side panel 23, and partitions extending between these panels to define shelves and compartments for the accommodation of articles. The main support is afiorded by the end panels 21, 22, each of which may be enlarged at its Fig. 5, to enhance rigidity in a removable fashion,

base, as indicated at 24 in and to afford a bracing action against the front side wall of the base (i. e., the wall 12 shown at the right of Figs. 2, 3 and 5). At one of the narrow ends of the base the panel 21 may be braced by a bracket and spacer 25, and for strengthening purposes a web 26 may be employed in association with the opposite end panel 22 (see Fig. 6).

The side panel 23 of the island structure does not extend downwardly to the bottom wall 20 of the base, but terminates at a level appreciably above the rim 13, so that the space between the end panels 21 and 22, at the bottom, is freely accessible for the insertion and removal of articles. For illustrative purposes We have shown a stack of articles 27, for example, shirts or the like, accommodated within the base of the valise between the panels 21, 22 (see Fig. 5). If desired a protective sheet or flexible panel of fabric 28 may be anchored to one of the upstanding base walls 12. for adjustment into the protective position shown articles 27.

At approximately the level of the lower edge of the side panel 23, there is a partition 29 whose forward edge maybe turned upwardly as at 30. This defines a convenientshel'f for the accommodation of articles. A similar shelf 31, extending for only part of the "lengthof the island, affords further storage space for relatively small articles of clothing orthe like. In the embodiment herein illustrated there is -a third partition or shelf 32 extending for the full length of the island. Transverse partitions, asshown at 33,. may be provided wherever desired.

in Fig. 5, overlying the As a cover for the shelves and compartments, a substantially rectangular element of flexible fabric 34 may be anchored atone end 35 (Fig. 2) to the upper margin of the side panel 23, and may be thrown to and from the protective position in' which it overlies the island and the compartmentsin it, the opposite margin of the sheet 34 being secured to the. lower part of the island (for example, along the upstanding lip 39), by means of separable fasteners 36 or the like.

The forward edges 37 of the end panels 21 and 22 preferably extend somewhat beyond the forward edges of the various partitions and shelves of the island. For a purpose presently to be explained, the edges 37 turn sharply rearwardly near the lower ends of the panels, to define recesses 33.

Pivoted to the upper part of the island, along a horizontal axis, is a hanger assembly consisting essentially of at leastone hanger bar 39, and side arms 40. One end of each side arm 40 is secured to the corresponding end of the horizontal side arm 40 is somewhat enlarged, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and is pivoted to the island at 41. The enlargement of each of the arms ill provides an edge 42 'which encounters and braces itself against a fixed projection or support 43 when the hanger assembly is in the extended or elevated position shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The arms 40, the pivots 41, and the supports 43 are preferably on the exterior of the end panels 21 and 22.

We have illustratively shown a construction in which there are two parallel horizontal hanger bars 39 extending between the free ends of the side arms 40. This is optional, and any selected number of convenient bars may be provided. Each bar is preferably formed to defineya hanger shape of conventional character, as indicated at 44, but it is not essential in carrying out the objectives of our invention that the parts 44 be formed integrally with the bars 39.

When the hanger assembly is in the elevated position shown in Figs. 3 and 4, garments hung thereon will be supported as best indicated in Fig. 3, affording easy ac; cess to the garments themselves as well as to the'articles stored in the base of the valise or in the compartments of the island. In the folded or lowered condition of the hanger assembly, the parts assume the relative positions shown in Fig. 2. The garments need not be removed from the hanger or hangersin order for this adjustment to be made. The hanger bar or bars 3 have their ends accommodated within the recesses 38, and the hanger assembly as a whole lies alongside the island, in the space between the projecting forward edges 37of the end panels. The garments themselves, while remaining in engagement with the hanger assembly, drape themselves over the island, substantially as indicated in Fig. 2.

The space adjacent to the end panel 22 of the island may be utilized in any desired manner. For example, a strap or holder 45 may be provided to facilitate the support of shoes, as indicated in Fig. 4 by the reference numeral 46. Similar or equivalent facilities may be provided for supporting various articles. 7 V

From the description given it will "be obvious that when the island has been filled with clothing and articles, and when desired garments :have been applied to the hanger bar 39; the other end of the 75 walls, an island of substantially rectangular contour rissaid base and cover, whereby assembly, overlying be adjusted into the position shown in Fig. 2, and the cover of the bag is then applicable to close the valise and protectively enclose the articles that have been packed in it. When reopened, the parts are readily available for use, and a simple swing of the hanger assembly from the lowered position of Fig. 2 to the elevated position of Figs. 3 and 4 places the device in readiness for immediate use as a wardrobe.

The swinging movements of the hanger assembly are always in the direction of the relatively low side wall of the base. It is to permit this swinging movement to take place that this wall of the base must be of relatively small height. For convenience in obtaining access to articles packed in the base the other walls may be similarly of relatively low height, as shown in the drawings, but this is not absolutely essential so far as the functioning of the hanger assembly is concerned.

It is to be understood that many of the details herein described and illustrated may be varied to suit special requirements, without necessarily departing frornthe spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims."

We claim:

1. In a traveling bag, a substantially rectangular base having upstanding marginal walls at least one of which is of relativelylow height, an island of substantially rectangular contour rising from said base to a height substantially greater than that of said low wall, a hanger assembly comprising a horizontal bar and side arms extending from its ends, the ends of said arms being pivoted about a horizontal axis to the upper part of said island and adapted to swing the bar in the direction of said low wall between a lowered position alongside said island and an elevated position above said island, a cover having a top wall and ing to those of the base, said cover being adapted to enclose said island when the hanger assembly is in lowcred position, cooperable means on said base and cover for separably securing said cover to said base, and a handle on the top wall of the cover. k

2. The combination of elements set forth in claim I, in which said island comprises opposite relatively narrow end panels and partitions arranged between said panels to define compartments for the accommodation of articles, said hanger assembly arms being pivoted to the exterior upper regions of said end panels, said end panels having recesses to accommodate the ends of said horizontal bar when itis in the lowered position.

3. The combination of elements set forth in claim 1, said island comprising aside panel, relatively narrow end panels, partitions arranged between said panels to definecompartments for the accommodation of articles, and a flexible sheet of material secured along one edge to said side panel and adapted .to be thrown to andfrom a protective position overlying said island, the opposite edge of said sheet being held in place on said island by a separable fastening means comprising coopcrable elements on said island and sheet respectively.

4. The combination of elements set forth in claim 1, each of said hanger assembly arms having an enlarged part adjacent to the pivot, said island having fixed supports positioned to be encountered by and to underlie said enlarged parts when the bar of the hanger is in its elevated position. i

5. The combination of elements set forth in claim 1, said island having a width appreciably less than that of there is a space alongside the island atits oppositesides for accommodation of garments engaging said hanger and draped over said island. v i t 6. In a travelingbag, a substantially rectangular base having relatively low upstanding marginal side and end depending, marginal walls correspond ing from said base to a height substantially greater than that of said walls, said island being narrower and shorter than said base and comprising narrow end panels having partitions arranged between them to define compartments, the lowest partition being at a height considerably above the level of said marginal walls to permit access to the storage space beneath said partition, a hanger assembly pivoted to said end panels adjacent their upper ends and adapted to swing between a folded position alongside said island and an elevated position above it, a cover having 10 depending marginal walls corresponding to those of the base, said cover being adapted to enclose said island when the hanger assembly is in its folded position, and

6 a separable fastening means between each upstanding wall of the base and the corresponding wall of the cover.

7. The combination of elements set forth in claim 6, the edges of said walls being constructed to cooperate 5 to produce complete closure of the bag when they are fastened together.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,280,430 Ensey Oct. 1, 1918 2,661,824 Nelson Dec. 8, 1953 2,717,093 Mautner Sept. 6, 1955 

